Laudato Si’ Restoration Project
“All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” LAUDATO SI’, #14
As we begin year four of our Prairie Restoration Project on the land at Presentation Heights, we continue to discern and reflect on the words of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’. We remain steadfast in our desire to enhance the property, bringing out more of its natural beauty to be shared with the Aberdeen community and region.
Our partnerships with other like-minded individuals and businesses provide us with hope. These partnerships have led us to work not only locally, but nationally, with others who share our vision.
On a local level, we are grateful for our relationship with Jeff Zimprich at Pasque Hill on Beaver Creek, Brandon, SD. His work is a testament to his knowledge and passion for land restoration. He has opened up his farm, inviting area schools to bring their students so they may see and partake in hands-on learning in areas such as soil biology, infiltration, grasslands, rangelands, pollinators and grassland birds. Our hope is to take what he has modeled and share with others on the land in Aberdeen as well.
Jeff Zimprich, Jared Hohn and Jamie Risse
“We are excited for the opportunity to work with Jeff. His passion and drive to educate youth about stewarding our land and resources is easy to connect with and inspires us every time that we get to work together!” Jared Hohn and Jamie Risse, co-directors of Laudato Si’.
On a national level, we are grateful for our partnership with others through the Conference of Presentation Sisters. This past spring, Sisters, employees, associates and friends from across North America met weekly via Zoom, sharing not only in prayer, but in our shared care of the Earth. Topics ranged from the global climate crisis to the weakness and ineffectiveness of international politics working to make a change. It was a great way to build community and engage one another around this important work.
As we continue on this journey, we invite you to visit the land restoration project at Presentation Heights, to walk on the land and listen to its sacredness. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside other groups in furthering the Gospel Mission.